50 Anti-Muslim Incidents in France, Charlie Hebdo Insists on Attacking Holy Prophet’s Sanctity
Local Editor
More than 50 anti-Muslim incidents have happened across France - including shootings - in less than a week since the deadly attack on satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, according to the nation's Muslim community, which is calling for heightened security.
Among the 54 anti-Muslim incidents, there have been 21 reports of shootings and grenade throwing at Islamic buildings, as well as 33 cases of threats and insults, said Abdallah Zekri, president of the Collective Against Islamophobia in France [CCIF]. CCIF is a monitoring body within the Central Council of Muslims.
The figures were provided by the Interior Ministry, Zekri said, and do not include Paris, its suburbs, or the Poitiers mosque fire on Sunday.
Zekri said he has "never seen" so many attacks in such a short time, and has called for heightened security at Muslim places of worship, as well as increased monitoring of social media.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls told local BFM TV on Monday that there is a need to protect not only "synagogues, Jewish schools, but also mosques," as there have been a number of attacks against Muslims. Earlier on Monday, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve sent almost 4,700 extra police officers to protect Jewish sites and threatened religious communities.
The Collective Against Islamophobia in France has also launched a campaign on its website to help protect worshippers, calling on the government to raise security awareness.
This comes as this week's edition of Charlie Hebdo will continue to attack the Muslim sanctities by featuring caricatures of the Holy Prophet Mohammed [PBUH].
The special issue, to come out on Wednesday, will also be offered "in 16 languages" for readers around the world, one of its columnists, Patrick Pelloux, said.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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